Matthew Karakoulakis was our guest on NITV Radio exploring the significance of Mabo Day, Mabo’s legacy and what it means for the Reconciliation process.
Our conversation also delved into Indigenous deaths in custody as the recent death of African American man George Floyd has brought this conversation under the spotlight.
We asked Matthew Karakoulakis how best, in his opinion, can the Australian legal profession use its influence to advocate for change right now?
And, as an Indigenous man, how difficult is it – both personally and professionally as a lawyer – for so little to have been done regarding deaths in custody, either in terms of law reform or convictions against officers?
Matthew Karakoulakis argues that lawyers must be activists to help end black deaths in custody.
His views are more detailed in an article in which he argues that lawyers need to be held to appropriate levels of awareness and accountability, to gain the understanding and foresight required for the betterment of racial injustice as experienced by First Nations peoples.
